One in seven Irish firms have no women in senior roles

'Concerning' increase in number of firms without women in senior management, says report

The findings in the annual Women in Business Report by Grant Thornton show that 16.3% of firms have no women in senior roles. 

One in seven Irish businesses still have no women in senior management roles, new research shows.

The findings in the annual Women in Business Report by Grant Thornton show that 16.3% of firms have women in senior roles, an increase of 5% on 2024's 11.7%. Some 13.8% of respondents have just one woman on their senior management team.

Overall, more than a third (36.5%) of senior management roles were held by women in 2025 up slightly from last year (from 36% in 2024). The report suggests Ireland is performing better than the global (34%) and European averages (34.9%).  Almost one-third of businesses (30%) surveyed in Ireland think it will only take them one to three years to meet their current gender equality targets, with almost two in five (38.8%) claiming they’ve already met them.

“While it is concerning to see this increase from last year in the number of mid-market businesses reporting no women in senior management, it’s important to acknowledge the significant progress made over the past two decades, as reflected in the Women in Business report," said Grant Thornton head of consulting  Amanda Ward.

"This upcoming weekend will mark International Women’s Day and this research highlights the improvements made while also recognising the steps that still need to be taken to achieve gender parity in the workplace. I would urge business leaders to set bold targets for senior female representation and to support women throughout their career journeys. Retaining and developing talent is crucial. Targets for mentoring, networking, and retention targets are particularly effective at driving diversity, yet are among the least implemented strategies by businesses.”

In 2016, a high of two fifths of businesses (40.6%) recorded no women in senior management. At the current rate of progress, gender parity in senior management roles won't be achieved until 2051, the report suggests.

Nevertheless, there has been some progress and rising percentages of women holding every role that makes up the senior management team. In 2025, chief human resources officer (48.8%) and chief financial officer (43.8%) were the most common roles held by women in senior management in Ireland. The two least likely roles for women to hold in senior management in 2025 were chief executive (6.2%) and chairperson (2.5%).

The most frequently cited impact of gender equality strategies, selected by two in five surveyed (42.5%), is that the strategy at their company has helped create a culture where employees all feel they are treated equally. Over a third (37.5%) say their equality strategies mean employees feel there is an inclusive work environment.

The Grant Thornton Women in Business Report has now been running 21 years. "Gender-balanced leadership correlates with stronger financial performance and better decision-making. We all have a responsibility to ensure we prioritise gender parity and continue to make real, lasting change," said Grant Thornton managing partner Steve Tennant. 

"Not only is this good for individual employees, and the companies that they work for, but it also greatly benefits the wider economy."